The Impact of Language

Food for Thought

There is no clear cut right or wrong to the language you use when talking about suicide however we would invite you to consider the following based on feedback provided by people who have experienced suicide attempts.

Instead of Using

Interpretation

Consider

Completed Suicide

“Does this mean that by still being alive I’m incomplete”

Died by suicide

Suicide

Death by their own hand

Failed attempt

“I’m a failure. I can’t even kill myself right”

Suicide attempt

Unsuccessful attempt

“If I died, I’d be a success”“Surviving means I’m unsuccessful”

Suicide attempt

Committed suicide

“I feel like a criminal”“I’m a criminal if I die by suicide”

Died by suicide

Suicide

Death by their own hand

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